Team Marcelo Pereira

Kids Martial Arts Classes

Team Marcelo Pereira Kids

Making the World Better Through Martial Arts
Our Philosophy in Teaching Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

"A real martial artist has repect for others; with parents, friends, and family. He has discipline in his
life. Not just in the gym. Also in the real world. He has a respect for his health and physical fitness. He lives a
good clean life, and avoids things like alcohol, drugs, and smoking. This is how we can mold our young students."

-Coach Marcelo Pereira

Mentoring Kids Through the Martial Arts

As Usual, It's About History-

When Nova Uniao was formed in 1995, the new team was known for its junior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teams. Marcelo Pereira started his career in
BJJ as a kid, starting when he was seven years old.

Therefore, teaching kids and juniors is a Nova Uniao tradition; a tradition that Marcelo Pereira is happy to continue in Naples, Florida.

Teaching kids comes with a great responsibility, because kids are like a blank slate and very influenced by their mentors. Parents have always
seemed to find value in having their kids learn the martial arts.

This is because many martial arts teach kids important values such as discipline and respect. This is also true in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Everything is Earned-

At Team Marcelo Pereira, we believe that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a very beneficial martial art for kids. We believe that our junior students
should be challenged in a way that develops their character in positive ways. For example, as we expect with our adult students, our junior students have to
earn belt promotions through testing.

Kids who meet standards are promoted along with adults in belt ceremonies

Nothing is given away. We do not lower standards unneccesarily, or advance everyone. Our goal is that students rise to the occasion, and learn that through
hard work and committment, there are rewards. This we believe will serve them well in life.

Quitting is Discouraged-

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is hard. It is a complex martial art. Most techniques take hundreds or thousands of repetitions to master. Progress can seem slow.

Under these circumstances, kids (and adults) can get discouraged. They may want to quit. Coach Marcelo and his assistant instructors attempt to encourage
kids to keep trying. Our philosophy is not to coddle junior students, but to find ways to keep them going; to keep them trying. This is not always easy, and
sometimes it requires assistance from parents, but in the end it teaches kids resilience and commitment. Also qualities that will help them in the real world.

Progress is Rewarded-

It is not uncommon for kids to develop at different paces. Natural abilities, maturity level, and differences in how much time a young student
spends on the mat can influence how quickly a student develops.

When it is time for belt promotions, students are tested. They are expected to display competancy in their skills. Marcelo will ask them to reproduce
techniques that have been shown in class. While we never advance a student who is not prepared for the next level, we are happy to reward a student
who deserves a belt promotion.

We feel that recognizing hard work and the results that come from it encourages students to reach for more. It is a wonderful thing to see a young student
progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and it is incredibly rewarding for them. It is a great thing to see the pride overflowing from a junior student when he or
she is promoted, and they have the chance to advance to another belt level.

Building Character Though Competition-

Although it is not mandatory, if kids and their parents desire, they can compete with the team. Competitions take place on average every two or three months
during the year.

Competition is also very challenging, on both a physical and psychological level. Particularly the first time they compete, kids can get very nervous. But by
overcoming their fear and competing with other kids they can develop a great deal of confidence. Even if they do not win, competing can bring out the best in
a young student's character.

Junior student and gold medal winner and Coach Marcelo at a recent Florida State Championship

Life itself can be viewed as a competition. The earlier kids are taught to overcome their fears and put their skills to the test, the better, we believe, they can
navigate through challenges later in life, as adults.

Getting Started-

If you have any questions about our kids program, please contact us using the form below, or contact Marcelo Pereira directly at (239)245-2170.

Professors Fletcher Fuller, Marcelo Pereira and Flavio Lima with junior students after a recent belt cermony.